Straw topper and method

ABSTRACT

A straw topper having a straw topper assembly including a cylindrical body having an open proximate end and a closed distal end. The cylindrical body is configured to be placed over a suction end of a drinking straw. The cylindrical body and the closed distal end are configured to seal the suction end of the drinking straw forming a sanitary barrier that prevents access to the drinking straw by pests, contaminants, and airborne debris. The straw topper has decorative designs on the cylindrical body and/or closed distal end for user identification as well as a label on the cylindrical body. The straw topper assembly can be provided in a variety of colors and can be transparent, translucent, or opaque. The cylindrical body may have a variety of diameters for accommodating various straw sizes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/446,436 filed Jan. 1, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of straws of existing art and more specifically relates to a protective guard; a straw topper.

RELATED ART

Drinking straws are open to airborne contaminants and pests such as flies. In addition, common gatherings such as birthday parties result in confusion among children as to whose drink is whose thus resulting in the possibility for unknowingly sharing drinks thereby introducing the possibility of further contamination. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pub. No. 2014/0252115 to Toepfert relates to a drinking straw that prevents the suction of objects. The described drinking straw that prevents the suction of objects includes a method of manufacturing a flexible drinking straw. The straw allows a user to easily suction liquid while preventing foreign bodies in the liquid from entering the mouth of a user. The straw comprises a tube defining a substantially constant cross-sectional inner channel. The tube has a multitude of fins extending from an inner wall of the tube to a distance from the inner wall. The fins create either a single or multiple liquid-way(s) that allow the liquid to flow freely while blocking foreign bodies that may be in the liquid. The straw comprises a tube with a cut and crimped end creating either single or multiple liquid-way(s) that allow liquid to flow freely while blocking foreign bodies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known straw art, the present disclosure provides a novel straw topper. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a straw topper for sanitary protection and identification of drinking straws when inserted into a drink container.

The present invention is a straw topper comprising a straw topper assembly including a cylindrical body having an open proximate end and a closed distal end. The cylindrical body is configured to be placed over a suction end of a drinking straw. The cylindrical body and the closed distal end are configured to limit access to the suction end of the drinking straw forming a sanitary barrier that reduces contamination of the drinking straw by pests, human contact, and airborne debris. The cylindrical body of the drinking straw is approximately two inches in length and is approximately one inch in width in preferred embodiments.

A straw topper method of use is also disclosed herein. The straw topper method of use includes sliding the straw topper assembly on to straw that is residing in a drink container, removing the straw topper assembly for drinking, and drinking through the straw. The method of use of the straw topper further comprises the steps of installing the sanitary cap on the straw topper assembly and clipping the straw topper assembly to a set of keys using a key ring.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a straw topper, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a view of the straw topper during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the straw topper of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the straw topper of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the straw topper of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for a straw topper, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container attachment or straws and more particularly to a protective guard as used to improve sanitary protection and identification of drinking straws when inserted into a drink container.

Generally, drinking straws are open to airborne contaminants and susceptible to contamination such as contact with hair and/or pests landing on the drinking straw. Furthermore, gatherings where multiple children are in attendance generate a potential for misidentification of drink ownership possibly resulting in more than one child using the drinking straw. This may result in contamination of the drinking straw. A solution is needed for sanitary protection of drinking straws as well as identification of straw/drink ownership.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a straw topper 100. FIG. 1 shows a straw topper 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, straw topper 100 may be beneficial for use by user 140 to provide a sanitary seal for and means for identification of a drinking straw 10 that is residing in a drink container. By placing straw topper assembly 110 over a suction end of drinking straw 10 the suction end of drinking straw 10 is isolated from external environmental contaminants, which is desirable.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a straw topper 100. The straw topper 100 includes a straw topper assembly 110 having cylindrical body 112 comprising open proximate end 114, closed distal end 116, and key ring 120. Key ring 120 can serve as an attachment point for transport. Key ring 120 can serve as a means for holding straw topper assembly 110 on drinking straw 10 while in use. Here open proximate end 114 is shown as an access point for inserting a drinking straw 10. Also shown is closed distal end 116 that provides a sealed termination for cylindrical body 112 and seals the suction end of drinking straw 10. In the preferred embodiment, cylindrical body 112 comprises dishwasher safe plastic. In alternate embodiments, cylindrical body 112 comprises wax paper or cupcake paper. In the preferred embodiment, cylindrical body 112 is washable and reusable. In alternate embodiments, cylindrical body 112 is configured for one-time use. Cylindrical body 112 comprises multiple colors and is either translucent, opaque, or transparent. In the preferred embodiment, cylindrical body 112 comprises a diameter of one inch. In alternate embodiments, cylindrical body 112 comprises various diameters including those of standard straw sizes.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a straw topper 100. Straw topper 100 includes straw topper assembly 110 having cylindrical body 112 including label 118, at least one access opening 122, and decorative design 126. As illustrated, straw topper assembly 110 is placed over straw 10. Decorative design 126 and label 118 assist user 140 in identifying drinking straw 10. In this embodiment, decorative design 126 is attached to closed distal end 116. In alternate embodiments, decorative design 126 is attached to cylindrical body 112. In this, the preferred embodiment, label 118 is attached to cylindrical body 112 and is erasable. In alternate embodiments, label 118 is a separate component that is removably coupled to cylindrical body 112.

In other alternate embodiments, label 118 is an external label sleeve 132. In further alternate embodiments, label 118 is internal label sleeve 134 when used together in functional combination with a transparent version of cylindrical body 112. In this embodiment, internal label sleeve 134 serves as a bushing providing a snug fit for smaller straw diameters. At least one access opening 122 allows for using additional decorative accessories such as attachment ribbon 124. Attachment ribbon 124 works in functional combination with at least one access opening 122 as a means for attaching straw topper assembly 110 to drinking straw 10 while in use. At least one access opening 122 functions as a means for hanging straw topper assembly 110 during storage. The straw topper 100 is shown arranged as a kit 130 including straw topper assembly 110, sanitary cap 128, external label sleeve 132, internal label sleeve 134, attachment ribbon 124, and set of user instructions 155. In particular, straw topper 100 may further include set of instructions 155. Set of instructions 155 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of straw topper 100 such that straw topper 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

FIG. 4 shows various embodiments in a perspective view of a straw topper 100. As illustrated, straw topper 100 includes a straw topper assembly 110 having a variety of decorative designs 126 of varying lengths and widths as a method to assist user 140 in identifying straw 10.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram 550 illustrating a method of use 500 for straw topper 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, method of use 500 for straw topper 100 includes one or more components or features of straw topper 100 as described above. As illustrated, method of use 500 for straw topper 100 includes the steps of: step one 501, sliding straw topper assembly 110 onto drinking straw 10 that is residing in a drink container; step two 502, removing straw topper assembly 110 for drinking; and step three 503, drinking through drinking straw 10. Method of use 500 for straw topper 100 may also include the steps of: step four 504, installing sanitary cap 128 on closed distal end 116 of straw topper assembly 110 and step five 505, clipping straw topper assembly 110 to a set of keys using key ring 120.

It should be noted that steps 504 and 505 are an optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for use of straw topper 100, are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A straw topper comprising: a straw topper assembly including: a cylindrical body having; an open proximate end and a closed distal end; wherein the cylindrical body is configured to be placed over a suction end of a drinking straw; wherein the cylindrical body and the closed distal end are configured to seal the suction end of the drinking straw forming a sanitary barrier that prevents access to the drinking straw by pests, airborne debris, and other contaminants; wherein the cylindrical body of the drinking straw is approximately two inches in length; and wherein the cylindrical body of the drinking straw is approximately one inch in width.
 2. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the straw topper assembly comprises dishwasher-safe plastic.
 3. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the straw topper assembly comprises wax paper.
 4. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the straw topper assembly comprises cupcake paper.
 5. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body comprises various colors configured to functionally identify a drink for a specified user.
 6. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body includes a label configured to identify a drink for a specified user.
 7. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body includes a decorative design configured to identify a drink for a specified user.
 8. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the closed distal end includes a functional decorative design configured to identify a drink for a specified user.
 9. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body has an attached key ring configured to hold the straw topper assembly on the drinking straw while in use.
 10. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body has at least one access opening.
 11. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is translucent.
 12. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is opaque.
 13. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is transparent.
 14. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein straw topper assembly is reusable.
 15. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein straw topper assembly is configured for a one-time use.
 16. The straw topper of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body comprises various diameters configured to accommodate a variety of straw sizes.
 17. A straw topper comprising a straw topper assembly including: a cylindrical body having; an open proximate end and a closed distal end; wherein the cylindrical body is configured to be placed over a suction end of a drinking straw; wherein the cylindrical body and the closed distal end are configured to seal the suction end of the drinking straw forming a sanitary barrier that prevents access to the drinking straw by pests, and airborne debris; wherein the cylindrical body of the drinking straw is approximately two inches in length; wherein the cylindrical body of the drinking straw is approximately one inch in width; wherein the straw topper assembly comprises dishwasher-safe plastic; wherein the cylindrical body comprises various colors configured to identify the drink for a specified use; wherein the cylindrical body includes a label configured to identify the drink for a specified user; wherein the cylindrical body includes a decorative design configured to identify a drink for the specified user; wherein the closed distal end includes a functional decorative design configured to identify the drink for the specified user; wherein the cylindrical body has an attached key ring; wherein the cylindrical body has at least one access opening; wherein the cylindrical body is translucent; and wherein straw topper assembly is reusable.
 18. The straw topper of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the straw topper is arranged as a kit having: said straw topper assembly; a set of user instructions; said sanitary cap; an external label sleeve; an internal label sleeve; and an attachment ribbon.
 19. A method of use for a straw topper, the method comprising the steps of: sliding a straw topper assembly onto a straw; removing the straw topper assembly for drinking; and drinking through the straw.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of installing a sanitary cap on the straw topper assembly and clipping the straw topper assembly to a key ring. 